U.S. Gov. Won't Block Cell Phone Use in Cars

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said that the Department of Transportation will not endorse the National Transportation Safety Board's recommendation that all cell phone use by drivers of automobiles be banned. The NTSB believes that even hands-free use of cell phones in cars needs to be prohibited for safety reasons, and earlier this month asked U.S. states to create the appropriate laws. The Department of Transportation can set policy, but the NTSB cannot. LaHood said hands-free calling "is not the big problem in America. If other people want to work on hands-free, so be it." LaHood's stance is a win for the auto and cellular industries.